JP2008183870A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a waste ink tank efficiently when a plurality of waste ink tanks are used in an ink jet recording apparatus.
SOLUTION: A plurality of preliminary discharge ports that are positions for performing preliminary discharge recovery are provided, a plurality of waste ink tanks that collect ink discharged to a place other than a recording medium are provided, and a plurality of preliminary discharge ports are selectively used. Controls the amount of ink collected in multiple connected waste ink tanks. As a result, the waste ink tank can be used efficiently, the life of the main body can be extended, and the waste ink tank can be efficiently replaced.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that collects ink used for preliminary ejection recovery in a waste ink tank.

In the case where a plurality of conventional waste ink tanks are used efficiently, the preliminary ejection position is selectively moved so that the number of preliminary ejections at the preliminary ejection position is proportional to the capacity ratio of each waste ink tank. In some cases, preliminary ejection is performed (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-66665

  However, the cited document 1 describes only two waste ink tanks having different capacities in the above-described conventional example regarding a plurality of waste ink tanks, and does not refer to any device provided with a plurality of waste ink tanks having the same shape. Absent. In particular, when the apparatus is large, such as a large format printer, it is easier to replace the waste ink tank if it is divided into a plurality of parts. In addition, by using a plurality of inks, there is no need to squeeze ink, and further, the same shape leads to cost reduction. Furthermore, in the case of the conventional example, there is a case where it is necessary to go to the farthest position every time during preliminary ejection during printing. Even for a very short time in a single scan, the larger the paper to be printed, the more time is required for one page. Further, since the preliminary discharge port is only outside the printing area, when various paper sizes are set, the preliminary discharge port is hidden under the paper, and no consideration is given to the case where the desired preliminary discharge port cannot be used. Further, there is no mention of a case where the waste ink tank is replaceable. However, especially in the case of replacement by a service person, unless more efficient replacement is performed, the cost increases.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a plurality of preliminary outlets can be used by using a preliminary outlet at a position closest to the recording head or a position closest to the driving direction, thereby shortening the time by reducing the operation of the recording head. Plan. Means for storing that the frequency of use is low, such as being often covered with paper, or means for predicting that the frequency is low are provided, and a means for preferentially using the preliminary outlet is provided. As a result, it becomes possible to preferentially use the preliminary discharge port connected to the waste ink tank that will not be used at all or that will be rarely used. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of times of waste ink tank replacement and to prevent the problem that the waste ink tank corresponding to the preliminary outlet is not used at all. In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a suction unit that performs suction recovery, a preliminary discharge recovery unit, a borderless printing, and evaporation according to elapsed time. The calculation unit calculates various amounts of ink outside the recording medium. As a result, storage means for storing data as the accumulated ink amount or the waste ink tank empty amount for each of the plurality of waste ink tanks is provided in the recording apparatus and stored therein. As described above, by selecting and using the preliminary discharge ports to be selected so that the remaining amount of ink collected in the waste ink tank is uniform, the replacement timing of the waste ink tank can be made the same. In addition, when the replacement is impossible, the life can be extended. Similarly, it is possible to avoid the replacement of the waste ink tank in succession by selecting and using the pre-ejecting outlet to be selected so that there is a difference in the remaining amount of ink collected in the waste ink tank. It becomes. As a result, it is possible to avoid the situation where the service person has to go to the user many times, leading to cost reduction. Finally, even if a certain waste ink tank is full, it is possible to continue operation by selecting a spare outlet that uses another waste ink tank, and by doing this, multiple waste ink tanks can be replaced at one time. It becomes possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by selecting a preliminary discharge port, it is possible to efficiently collect the ink discharged to the preliminary discharge port into a plurality of waste ink tanks. As a result, the life of the main body is extended, and the waste ink tank can be efficiently replaced by the user or service person.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an ink jet recording apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 10 represents a roll paper which is a recording paper. In the figure, this roll paper 10 is in a state where a maximum size paper of 60 inches is attached. Moreover, the cut paper previously cut into a standard size can be attached by removing the roll paper. The roll paper is sandwiched between the top and bottom of the paper by 11 transport rollers. As the transport roller 11 rotates, paper is fed. Reference numeral 12 denotes a carriage. A recording head is mounted on the carriage 12 and printing is performed by ejecting ink from the recording head. Reference numeral 13 denotes a platen that supports the roll paper 10. Printing is performed when the roll paper 10 is fed by the transport roller 11 and moves back and forth on the platen 13.

  The platen 13 is provided with a preliminary discharge port, which will be described later, and the ink discharged from the preliminary discharge port to other than the roll paper 10 is sent to a waste ink tank below the preliminary discharge port. Reference numeral 14 denotes a recovery unit, and the carriage 12 is brought onto the recovery unit 14 to cap the recording head. This position on the recovery unit 14 is called the home position of the carriage 12. The recovery unit 14 performs maintenance work of the recording head such as suction. Pre-discharge may be performed on the cap of the recovery unit. That is, since it functions as the same as the preliminary outlet, it may be called the preliminary outlet in this embodiment. The ink sucked or preliminarily discharged by the recovery unit 14 in this way is collected in a waste ink tank 30 below the ink.

  In the case of preliminary ejection, the amount of ink collected is calculated from the number of ejections ejected from the recording head, and in the case of suction, the amount of ink to be sucked out for each type of suction is obtained in advance. Based on these values, the amount of ink that would have entered the waste ink tank is added to the amount of ink that has been added so far. Calculate the amount of free ink. The value is recorded in the non-volatile memory in the recording apparatus main body and the non-volatile memory attached to the waste ink tank.

  The waste ink tank 30 can be easily replaced by being pulled out, and can be replaced by the user. Reference numerals 22 and 28 denote preliminary outlets opened on the platen. These also serve as holes for collecting ink in the case of borderless printing, and are arranged so as to overlap the edge of the paper in accordance with the standard size of the maximum 60 inches of paper as shown in the figure.

  Under the paper, a similar preliminary outlet is arranged for each standard size capable of borderless printing. For example, the preliminary outlet is opened in accordance with the A4 size paper width. Here, the preliminary outlet 22 is in the state shown in the figure because the reference position is the same no matter what paper is attached. 29 and 21 are also preliminary outlets. The other preliminary outlets are blocked when the maximum size of 60-inch paper is set. However, the preliminary discharge ports 29 and 21 are arranged at positions where preliminary discharge is possible in any case. Even when the maximum size paper is set, the preliminary discharge ports 22 and 28 can be used. However, in this embodiment, the edge of the paper may be stained with the ejected ink, and is not used. A waste ink tank as shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later, is also installed below these preliminary discharge ports 22, 28, 29, and 21, respectively. Collected in the corresponding waste ink tank. Since these waste ink tanks under the platen cannot be replaced easily, a service man replaces them.

  Similarly to the recovery unit 14, the accumulated ink amount and the waste ink empty amount are calculated for each waste ink tank corresponding to each preliminary discharge port, and recorded in the nonvolatile memory in the recording apparatus main body. Here, the waste ink tank under the platen is replaced by a serviceman, so the nonvolatile memory is not attached, and management is performed only with the nonvolatile memory in the main body.

  In the standby state except when the take-up device and the roll paper are not cut, the roll paper 10 is kept in the vicinity of the transport roller 11 at the front end, so that there is no paper on the preliminary outlet and any preliminary outlet is used. It becomes possible. As shown in the figure at the time of printing, the usable preliminary outlets are 29 and 21 and the recovery unit 14.

  When all of them are in the initial state, the waste ink tank does not contain any ink, so the preliminary discharge port closest to the carriage 12 is used. Therefore, when the carriage 12 needs to be pre-discharged during scanning during printing from the home position to the opposite back position, the pre-discharge port 29 that can be pre-discharged closest to the end of the sheet is used. On the contrary, when the preliminary discharge is necessary during the scan from the back position to the home position, the preliminary discharge port 21 and the recovery unit 14 can be used, but the closest 21 is used.

  The case where ink is contained in the waste ink tank is shown using FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view taken along the cross section shown at position 20 in FIG. 1 and viewed from the front of the recording apparatus. In the figure, reference numerals 21 to 29 represent preliminary discharge ports, and the preliminary discharge ports 22 to 28 have holes for collecting ink in the case of borderless printing, as described above. It is arranged so as to overlap the end.

  In the figure, reference numerals 30 to 35 denote waste ink tanks, and the waste ink tank 30 can be easily replaced because it can be replaced by the user. 31 to 35 are serviceman exchanges, and it takes some time to exchange. The relationship between the recovery unit 14 and the preliminary discharge ports 21 to 29 and the waste ink tanks 30 to 35 is that the recovery unit 14 and the preliminary discharge port 21 are collected in the waste ink tank 30. The preliminary discharge port 22 is a waste ink tank 31, the preliminary discharge ports 23 and 24 are a waste ink tank 32, the preliminary discharge ports 25 and 26 are a waste ink tank 33, the preliminary discharge ports 27 and 28 are a waste ink tank 34, and the preliminary discharge port 29 is a waste ink tank 35. Collected.

  In this embodiment, 30 can be replaced relatively easily and is also used for suction. Therefore, the capacity is maximized, the waste ink tank 35 is next large, and finally the waste ink tanks 31 to 34 are the same. This leads to cost reduction.

  Next, the selection of the preliminary outlet is shown using FIG. 3 and FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram in which the relationship between the waste ink tanks shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of selection of the preliminary outlet.

  In FIG. 3, the height and width of the bottom side of the waste ink tank are shown equally. The accumulated ink amount is shown in gray in each waste ink tank. In the case of preliminary ejection or borderless printing, the amount of ink is calculated from the number of ejections ejected from the recording head, and in the case of suction, the amount of ink to be sucked out for each suction type is obtained in advance. Based on these values, the amount of ink that would have entered the waste ink tank was added to the amount of ink that had been put so far, and the amount of ink outside various recording media, such as evaporation over time, was calculated. The resulting accumulated ink amount. The accumulated ink amount in the figure has a relationship of waste ink tank 30> 35> 33> 31 = 34> 32. A broken line 41 in the figure indicates a near-full state of the waste ink tank, which is a threshold value that is a little more until the waste ink tank is full and no longer used, and the capacity from 41 to full in all tanks is the same value. Is set. It is assumed that the carriage 12 is moving in the direction of the home position indicated by the arrow in the drawing. Reference numeral 42 denotes a free capacity of the waste ink tank, and 43 denotes a free capacity of the waste ink tank 33.

  Also, depending on whether the replacement of the waste ink tank is easy or not, priority is given to the easy one, so that it is possible to avoid the replacement of the tank that is difficult to replace, and the replacement of the waste ink tank is impossible. In this case, it is possible to extend the life of the main body. Also, in the case of serviceman replacement, the cost of servicemen is reduced by reducing the number of servicemen going to users. In the present embodiment, the case where replacement is difficult will be described on the assumption of serviceman replacement. Here, only the waste ink tank 30 can be replaced by the user, and the other is a waste ink tank that requires serviceman replacement.

  The waste ink tanks 31 to 34 may become unusable because the corresponding preliminary discharge ports 22 to 28 are covered with paper. In this way, waste ink that will not be used or used at all by preferentially using the preliminary outlet by storing or predicting that the preliminary outlet is not used frequently is stored. Preferential use of a spare outlet leading to the tank. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of times of waste ink tank replacement and to prevent the problem that the waste ink tank corresponding to the preliminary outlet is not used at all.

  In this embodiment, the waste ink tank 31 always has a paper reference position, and is always used for borderless printing. Therefore, the waste ink tanks 32 and 33 are set from the highest priority. In this embodiment, the priority order is given to the waste ink tanks to be predicted and used. However, the frequency of the preliminary discharge port and the waste ink tank to be used or the paper width may be stored and determined. Further, even when the high priority 32 is full, the spare outlet corresponding to 33 can be used without being blocked by the paper. By giving this priority, when 32 is full, it can be used until 33 is full, and two of 33 and 32 can be exchanged simultaneously. As described above, it is possible to replace the waste ink tanks when they are full, and to replace a plurality of waste ink tanks at a time.

  In the conventional case, when the waste ink tank is full, the operation is stopped and the replacement is waited for. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the operation can be continued if the preliminary discharge port connected to another waste ink tank can be used, and further, the tank can be replaced at the same time, and the waste ink tank can be more efficiently operated. Can be exchanged.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the preliminary outlet selection. Hereinafter, the case of the state of FIG. 3 will be described as an example.

  The preliminary outlet selection is started by S10 in the figure. First, in S11, a preliminary outlet that can be used is confirmed. The spare outlet is not used when it is covered with paper or when the waste ink tank is full and cannot be used. Also, when it is impossible to return depending on the scanning direction, that direction is not used at that time. Next, in S12, it is determined whether or not a spare outlet for preferential use of a position that cannot be covered with paper or the like can be used. Here, since 32 can be used, it is determined in S13 that the preliminary ejection port uses the waste ink tank 32 that is used preferentially. Here, it is possible to select two spare outlets 23 and 24, but it is determined that the spare outlet 24 is used by selecting the closest position from the current position of the carriage 12 and the driving direction. If the position that is preferentially used in S12 is not usable, the following description will be continued assuming that no priority order has been given, such as the waste ink tanks 32 and 33 being covered with paper. S14 The spare outlet closest to the carriage 12 is selected. Thereby, the preliminary discharge port 24 and the waste ink tank 32 are selected. Next, in S1, it is determined whether the position is preferentially used or not depending on whether the replacement is easy or not. In this embodiment, whether the replacement is easy or not depends on whether or not the waste ink tank 30 is used. Therefore, when the preliminary outlet 21 and the recovery unit 14 connected to the waste ink tank 30 are selected in S14, the closest preliminary outlet 21 or recovery unit 14 in S16 is determined as it is. Since the preliminary discharge port 24 is selected this time, and the waste ink tank 32 connected to this is not easy to replace, the mode selection of S17 is performed. The mode represents a method for selecting two waste ink tanks described later. The first is to select and use a preliminary discharge port so that the waste ink tank empty amount or accumulated ink amount is uniform. This makes it possible to make the replacement period of the waste ink tank the same or extend the life when the replacement is impossible. The second is to select and use a difference in the remaining amount of ink collected in the waste ink tank. This represents a method that makes it possible to avoid a situation where the waste ink tank must be replaced in succession. In the figure, the first method is an average and the second method is a priority. These two modes can be set by the user from a panel on the host computer and the recording apparatus main body, and an average and priority mode and an automatic selection mode are prepared. In this embodiment, the automatic selection mode is the same operation as the average mode, but may be other operations. Here, when the result of S17 is automatic / average, the ink is preferentially collected in a waste ink tank having a large free capacity, aiming at fullness on average. Therefore, first, it is determined whether or not the empty amount 42 of the currently selected waste ink tank 32 is equal to or less than the threshold value 41. Here, since the empty amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the currently selected waste ink tank may be used in S19, so that the preliminary discharge port becomes the closest preliminary discharge port 24 as it is. If the empty amount 42 is greater than or equal to the threshold value, S20 determines whether the ratio of the remaining ink tank and the empty amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. Here, the free space 42 is compared with the free space of all usable tanks. Here, since the empty amount 43 has the largest difference, if the difference is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value, the waste ink tank 33 having the largest difference in the empty amount 43 is selected in S21, and the preliminary discharge ports 25, 26 connected thereto. The preliminary outlet 25 that is closer to the inner side is determined. Here, if it is determined in S11 that it cannot be used in the scanning direction or the like, since the preliminary outlet 25 and later cannot be selected, only the waste ink tanks 31 and 30 for comparing the available amounts are used. Next, if there is no waste ink tank whose free volume ratio is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the currently selected waste ink tank is used in S19, and the preliminary outlet becomes the closest preliminary outlet 24 as it is. If the result of S17 is prioritized, the ink is preferentially filled in the waste ink tank with a small free capacity so that the ink is preferentially filled. Therefore, first, it is determined whether or not the empty amount 42 of the currently selected waste ink tank 32 is greater than or equal to the threshold value 41. If the available amount is less than the threshold value, it is almost full, so the currently selected waste ink tank is used as it is, and the preliminary outlet in S23 becomes the closest preliminary outlet 24 as it is. Here, if the available amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined in S24 that if the available amount of the other waste ink tank is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined to use the waste ink tank with the smallest available amount in S25. Here, if the position is the same every time, the throughput may decrease, so the ratio of the remaining amount of waste ink may be viewed. In addition, since it becomes unusable when it is full, it is necessary to select a spare outlet connected to another waste ink tank, and this also affects the throughput. A threshold value may be set so that the ink tanks are not compared. If the empty amount of the other waste ink tank is equal to or smaller than the threshold value in S24, the currently selected waste ink tank is used as it is, and the preliminary outlet selected in S23 becomes the closest preliminary outlet 24 as it is.

  In the method described above, the value to be recorded is the accumulated ink amount and the waste ink empty amount, but either one may be used. Further, although both the recording apparatus main body and the waste ink tank are stored, either may be stored. Also, if it can take the value, it may be in another place such as a host computer. The maximum paper size is 60 inches, but other sizes may be used. Waste ink tanks are separated from those that can be easily exchanged by the user and those that require some labor to replace the serviceman. However, any form may be used, or the replacement may be impossible. The capacity of the waste ink tank may be any. In the sequence for selecting the preliminary outlet, the case where all conditions such as average use or preferential filling, whether or not replacement is easy, and usage frequency have been considered has been described. When the exchange is impossible, it is necessary to select whether it is easy or difficult with higher priority by changing the order of judgment and making a judgment earlier. Therefore, the order of these determinations may be changed, or the preliminary discharge port may be selected by making a determination regarding only a specific condition.

Schematic diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention FIG. 1 is a schematic view taken from the cross section shown at position 20 in FIG. Schematic diagram that makes it easy to understand the relationship between waste ink tanks and the amount of empty ink in the waste ink tank Sequence diagram showing an example of the selection of the preliminary spout

Explanation of symbols

10 roll paper
11 Transport roller
12 Carriage
13 Platen
14 Recovery unit
20 Cut line
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 Waste ink tank

Claims (8)

  In an ink jet apparatus that discharges ink and performs recording on a recording medium using a recording head, recording means for discharging ink from an ejection port of the recording head to perform recording on the recording medium, and the recording head A plurality of preliminary discharge recovery means for performing recovery processing by discharging out of the recording medium, and a plurality of preliminary discharge ports as positions for performing preliminary discharge recovery other than the recording medium, and collecting ink discharged by the recording means to other than the recording medium An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a plurality of waste ink tanks and controlling the amount of ink collected in the plurality of waste ink tanks by selectively using the plurality of preliminary discharge ports.   2. The plurality of preliminary outlets are selected by using a preliminary outlet at a position closest to the recording head or a position closest to the driving direction, thereby reducing the operation of the recording head and reducing the time. Inkjet recording apparatus.   There is provided suction means for performing suction recovery, preliminary discharge recovery means, borderless printing, and calculation means for calculating the amount of ink evaporated by elapsed time, and the accumulated ink amount or waste ink tank empty amount for each of a plurality of waste ink tanks 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing data, wherein the preliminary outlet is selected and used so that the waste ink tank empty amount or accumulated ink amount is uniform.   There is provided suction means for performing suction recovery, preliminary discharge recovery means, borderless printing, and calculation means for calculating the amount of ink evaporated by elapsed time, and the accumulated ink amount or waste ink tank empty amount for each of a plurality of waste ink tanks 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit for storing data, wherein the preliminary outlet is selected and used so as to make a difference in the remaining amount of ink collected in the waste ink tank. Inkjet recording apparatus.   An ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that either one of the ink jet recording apparatuses according to claim 3 or 4 can be selected by a user.   6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an easy one is used preferentially depending on whether the replacement of the waste ink tank is easy or not.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a preliminary discharge port that is used less frequently or is predicted to be used is preferentially used.   6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein even when a certain waste ink tank is full, the operation can be executed by using another waste ink tank.

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